The son of a British woman imprisoned in Iran has launched a scathing attack on the UK government, labelling its response to her year-long detention as "criminal". Joe Bennett's condemnation came as he delivered a petition signed by 70,000 people to Downing Street, demanding more decisive action to secure his mother's freedom.
A Year of Trauma and Government Inaction
Lindsay Foreman, 55, and her husband Craig were arrested on 3 January 2025 while travelling through Iran on a round-the-world motorbike trip. The couple, who have been accused of espionage—a charge they vehemently deny—were marking just four days of their holiday when they were detained.
Speaking at a rally in London to mark the grim one-year anniversary, Bennett told Sky News that while the Foreign Office has maintained communication, the overall government approach has been dangerously "passive". He expressed fury that officials appear to be allowing Iran's judicial "circus" to play out.
"There's almost this philosophy to let this judicial system play out, which is of course a complete circus," Bennett stated. "The fact that they're both being accused of espionage for the British state and the state that they're being accused of spying for aren't coming out in public defending them, I think is criminal, really." He is now demanding a direct response from the Prime Minister.
"Horrible Conditions": Malnourishment and Rats in Cells
Bennett provided harrowing new details about his mother's plight, revealing she is now "malnourished" and her health is deteriorating in brutal prison conditions. He described a cell where she sleeps on a metal frame, with vermin infesting the space.
"She's sleeping on a metal frame. You know, it's horrible conditions. There are rats and vermin everywhere. She's woken up with rats in her bed," he said. "Day by day has an effect because their body is deteriorating, right? That's the reality of it." Despite this, he said his mother continues to put on a "brave face" for her family.
Reflecting on the past year, Bennett described it as a "crazy" period that has passed quickly yet felt like "the most traumatic long time of our lives." The rally, he said, was about uniting public support to maintain pressure.
Echoes of Nazanin: A Call to Keep Fighting
The London rally was attended by Richard Ratcliffe, whose wife, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, was held in Iran for over five years before her release in 2022. His presence underscored the fear that the Foremans' ordeal could drag on for years without sustained government pressure.
Ratcliffe said attending "brings back tough memories" and emphasised the importance of public support in long-term detainment cases. He expressed scepticism about the government's behind-the-scenes efforts, a sentiment forged during his own campaign.
"I think that was true in our case, that will be true in Joe's mum's case, you don't know what they're doing behind closed doors. But as years went on I got very sceptical," Ratcliffe warned.
In response to the mounting criticism, a Foreign Office spokesperson reiterated the government's position: "We are deeply concerned by reports that Craig and Lindsay Foreman have been charged with espionage in Iran. We continue to raise this case directly with the Iranian authorities. The FCDO are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members."
The case continues to highlight the complex and often protracted diplomatic challenges facing British nationals detained in Iran, with families increasingly taking their frustration to the streets to demand more visible and assertive intervention from Westminster.
